(→Checking for vandalism and other bad edits: clarify admin-specific info)

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: Allows keyword searching in any [[Project:namespace|namespace]] or combination of namespaces (chosen by checkboxes).

: Allows keyword searching in any [[Project:namespace|namespace]] or combination of namespaces (chosen by checkboxes).

: When [[WikimediaMeta:Help:Link#Wikilinks|wiki-linking]] to this special page, the results match those of a keyword search using the "search box" and the "Go" button; see [[Iron Chariots Wiki:Searching]] for more details.

: When [[WikimediaMeta:Help:Link#Wikilinks|wiki-linking]] to this special page, the results match those of a keyword search using the "search box" and the "Go" button; see [[Iron Chariots Wiki:Searching]] for more details.

: Alphabetical listing of all pages in a specified namespace (chosen by drop-down menu), including [[WikimediaMeta:Help:Redirect|redirects]], which are shown in black.

: Alphabetical listing of all pages in a specified namespace (chosen by drop-down menu), including [[WikimediaMeta:Help:Redirect|redirects]], which are shown in black.

: When [[WikimediaMeta:Help:Link#Wikilinks|wiki-linking]] to this special page, a starting point can be given after a forward slash in the link; the [[Project:namespaces|main article namespace]] is used unless a different namespace prefix is specified with a colon [[Project:Namespaces|in the usual way]].

: When [[WikimediaMeta:Help:Link#Wikilinks|wiki-linking]] to this special page, a starting point can be given after a forward slash in the link; the [[Project:namespaces|main article namespace]] is used unless a different namespace prefix is specified with a colon [[Project:Namespaces|in the usual way]].

: Alphabetical list of categories actually in use on the wiki, including those for which pages have not been created yet (i.e., "missing categories"). Alternatives to this list include searching the '''Category''' namespace using "Allpages" or "Prefixindex" (doesn't include missing categories), or browsing the category structure starting at [[:Category:Browse categories|the top]] (doesn't include categories that have not been themselves categorized).

: Alphabetical list of categories actually in use on the wiki, including those for which pages have not been created yet (i.e., "missing categories"). Alternatives to this list include searching the '''Category''' namespace using "Allpages" or "Prefixindex" (doesn't include missing categories), or browsing the category structure starting at [[:Category:Browse categories|the top]] (doesn't include categories that have not been themselves categorized).

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: Brings up a randomly chosen page in the main namespace (by default).

: Brings up a randomly chosen page in the main namespace (by default).

: Can be made to work with other [[Project:namespaces|namespaces]] by appending the namespace prefix after a forward slash at the end of the link.

: Can be made to work with other [[Project:namespaces|namespaces]] by appending the namespace prefix after a forward slash at the end of the link.

: History of most recent edits. Should be checked occasionally for vandalism or other inappropriate changes (unwise page moves, etc.). Minor edits, ''as specified by the editors themselves'', are marked with "'''m'''". Edits that have not been checked by [[Project:administrators|administrators]] are marked with "<span style="color:red">'''!'''</span>".

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: History of most recent edits. Should be checked occasionally for vandalism or other inappropriate changes (unwise page moves, etc.). Minor edits, ''as specified by the editors themselves'', are marked with "'''m'''". (If you're an [[Project:administrators|administrator]], edits that have not been checked by other admins will be marked with "<span style="color:red">'''!'''</span>".)

; {{MediaWiki:Newpages}} &mdash; [[Special:Newpages]]

; {{MediaWiki:Newpages}} &mdash; [[Special:Newpages]]

: History of most recently created pages. Should be checked for bad page names, useless pages, redundant page titles, etc.

: History of most recently created pages. Should be checked for bad page names, useless pages, redundant page titles, etc.

: Following this link logs the user out (live link not provided on previous line to prevent accidental log-outs).

; {{MediaWiki:Mypage}} &mdash; [[Special:Mypage]]

; {{MediaWiki:Mypage}} &mdash; [[Special:Mypage]]

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: The user's own User page.

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: The user's own User page. For example, if the user Dcljr were to follow the link above, he would be taken to the page [[User:Dcljr]], while Arensb would be taken to [[User:Arensb]]. The next three pages work similarly.

Alphabetical list of categories actually in use on the wiki, including those for which pages have not been created yet (i.e., "missing categories"). Alternatives to this list include searching the Category namespace using "Allpages" or "Prefixindex" (doesn't include missing categories), or browsing the category structure starting at the top (doesn't include categories that have not been themselves categorized).

Specialized searching

List of all redirect pages (pages whose sole purpose is to make links to non-existent page titles lead to existing pages). The existence of such redirects is not a problem that needs to be fixed. However, inappropriate redirects should be changed (for example, if Jesus were to redirect to Albert Einstein instead of Jesus Christ). Sometimes a redirect looks wrong, but that's just because more than one topic is discussed in a particular article. For example, BCEshould redirect to Common Era, even though it means "Before Common Era", because both BCE and CE are discussed in the article Common Era.

Alphabetical list of all users who have ever registered. Includes users with no user page, those who have been banned, etc. Can be narrowed down to bots, sysops (administrators), or bureaucrats using a drop-down menu.

Not for searching the wiki, but for finding books for purchase by their ISBN. This is used in conjunction with the automatic linking of ISBNs by the MediaWiki software. This special page can also be linked to explicitly by appending the ISBN after a forward slash.

Maintenance

Checking for vandalism and other bad edits

History of most recent edits. Should be checked occasionally for vandalism or other inappropriate changes (unwise page moves, etc.). Minor edits, as specified by the editors themselves, are marked with "m". (If you're an administrator, edits that have not been checked by other admins will be marked with "!".)

Articles that have been edited the most. A heavily edited page may be an indication of an edit war (link is to Wikipedia's policy on such matters — remember that their policies don't apply here, but are often good ideas, anyway).

Wiki errors in need of fixing

List of redirect pages whose target doesn't exist. Obviously, such errors always need fixing. If the target page is simply misspelled, fix the redirect page; if the target just hasn't been created yet, consider creating the page, or look for a more appropriate target that does exist. (Note the capitalization on this pagename; "Special:Brokenredirects" will not work.)

List of "chained" redirects (redirect pages that point to other redirect pages). These always need to be fixed since the MediaWiki software won't automatically follow such redirects to their ultimate target page. Note that single redirects (links that go through a single redirect page to a target article) never need fixing. (Note capitalization on pagename; "Special:Doubleredirects" will not work.)

These articles are not linked to from any other page of the wiki. Consider setting up "reciprocal" links from articles the orphaned article links to (see "What links here" entry below), or search for other articles that should link to it.

Category pages not containing any [[Category:]] links, which specify parent categories. Since links to category pages show up as "broken" until there is actually a wiki page for them, every category should contain at least a [[Category:]] link, if not any other explanatory text. The sole exception is the "top-most" category, called Category:Browse categories, which actually should appear in this list since it has no parent.

Categories that have been created (i.e., pages exist for them) but do not currently contain any articles (no articles contain a [[Category:]] link to them). This may indicate an old category that is not needed anymore, or a new one that someone created in anticipation of having articles in it. Depending on the situation, either look for articles to populate the category with or nominate it for deletion.

Shown on every page when a user is logged in

The user's own User page. For example, if the user Dcljr were to follow the link above, he would be taken to the page User:Dcljr, while Arensb would be taken to User:Arensb. The next three pages work similarly.